U.S. patent application number 12/054828 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-01 for integral housing and user interface.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOTOROLA INC. Invention is credited to Joseph L. Allore, Gary R. Weiss, JASON P. WOJACK.
Application Number | 20090247242 12/054828 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41118041 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090247242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WOJACK; JASON P. ; et
al. |
October 1, 2009 |
INTEGRAL HOUSING AND USER INTERFACE
Abstract
A continuous housing (100) and integral user interface (101) is
disclosed. The housing comprising a continuous housing having a
cavity (117) to receive an electrical component and to surround the
component on a plurality of sides. The housing further comprises,
an integral user interface portion incorporated into a continuous
housing portion.
Inventors: |
WOJACK; JASON P.;
(Libertyville, IL) ; Allore; Joseph L.;
(Mundelein, IL) ; Weiss; Gary R.; (Buffalo Grove,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA INC
600 NORTH US HIGHWAY 45, W4 - 39Q
LIBERTYVILLE
IL
60048-5343
US
|
Assignee: |
MOTOROLA INC
LIBERTYVILLE
IL
|
Family ID: |
41118041 |
Appl. No.: |
12/054828 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/575.1 ;
29/827 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2221/09 20130101;
H01H 13/705 20130101; H01H 2221/016 20130101; H04M 1/22 20130101;
H01H 2231/022 20130101; H01H 2229/02 20130101; Y10T 29/49121
20150115; H01H 2221/044 20130101; H04M 1/23 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/575.1 ;
29/827 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00; H01R 43/00 20060101 H01R043/00 |
Claims
1. The continuous housing and integral user interface comprising: a
continuous housing having a cavity to receive an electrical
component and surround the components on a plurality of sides; and
an integral user interface portion incorporated into a continuous
encompassing housing portion.
2. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 1,
wherein the continuous housing comprises a single piece continuous
housing that encompasses the electrical component.
3. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 1,
wherein the continuous housing comprises a single piece extrusion
element.
4. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 1,
comprising a void, the void isolating the integral user interface
portion from an adjacent continuous housing portion.
5. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 4,
wherein the void having a void shape that defines an integral user
interface shape.
6. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 5,
wherein the void shape defines a key top of the integral user
interface.
7. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 4,
wherein the void shape defines a key top of the integral user
interface.
8. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 6,
wherein a plurality of key tops are formed by a single continuous
void.
9. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 6,
wherein a plurality of key tops are formed by a plurality of
voids.
10. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 1,
further comprising a keypad subassembly configured in the cavity to
align adjacent to the integral user interface portion.
11. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 1,
wherein the keypad sub assembly further comprises: a keypad
backfill portion; a keypad printed circuit board (PCB) configured
adjacent to the keypad backfill portion; and and a keypad wedge
configured adjacent to the keypad PCB.
12. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 11,
wherein the keypad backfill portion comprises a void filler
portion.
13. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 11,
wherein the keypad backfill is configured between a integral user
interface inner surface and the keypad PCB.
14. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 11,
wherein the keypad backfill portion is a light guide.
15. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 11,
wherein the continuous housing comprises a rail, configured to
receive the keypad subassembly.
16. A continuous housing and integral user interface comprising: a
hollow profile single piece continuous housing having a first
hollow profile, the profile formed by a first side, a second side,
a third side, and a fourth side, the sides contiguous such that the
hollow profile is long in length in comparison to its cross
sectional size; and a void incorporated into the continuous
housing, the void shaping a functional integral user interface
component.
17. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 16,
wherein the functional integral user interface component comprises
a cantilever key top portion formed by a void shape of the
void.
18. . The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim
16, further comprising a first cavity opening of the housing and a
second cavity opening housing.
19. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 18,
further comprising rails formed into the first hollow profile.
20. The continuous housing and integral user interface of claim 18,
a wedge plate to support and align the discrete keypad
assembly.
21. A continuous housing and integral user interface comprising: an
extruded housing element formed by continuous material such that
the material forms a continuous surface forming an internal cavity
and has characteristics of having two large surfaces, a first face
and a second face; and voids in the first face of the extruded
housing, the voids defining specific user interface boundaries in
the extruded housing first face.
22. A continuous housing and user interface comprising: a first
continuous housing portion; a first void in the continuous housing
portion forming a non-integral user interface access; and a second
void isolating an integral user interface portion from an adjacent
continuous housing portion, the void forming an integral user
interface key top portion.
23. The continuous housing and user interface of claim 22, wherein
the first void and the second void are coupled together.
24. The continuous housing and user interface of claim 22, wherein
a keypad subassembly is coupled to a inner side of the integral
user interface key top portion.
25. The continuous housing and user interface of claim 22, wherein
a non integral user interface protrudes through the first void.
26. The continuous housing and user interface of claim 25, wherein
the non integral user interface is a discrete functional user
interface including a key top, and keyboard subassembly.
27. The continuous housing and user interface of claim 25, wherein
the non integral user interface is discrete multi-key navigation
user interface.
28. A method of forming a housing with an integral user interface
comprising: forming an extrusion having a hollow profile and
continuous sides; and removing material of the housing to form
functional user interface portions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronics
device housings including user interfaces, and more particularly,
to a continuous housing having an integrated user interface formed
therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electronics devices generally have a housing and electronic
components retained therein. Some devices have multiple housings
pieces coupled together while others are a single housing. User
interfaces are accessible through some portion of the housing.
Where a housing is comprised of multiple portions, there are
typically two or more portions, halves for example, that are put
together to contain electronics. The housing provides structure to
retain and protect the components. User interfaces protrude through
an opening in the housing such that it is accessible to the
user.
[0003] In one example an extrusion is used as the housing, the
extrusion having a rectangular shape that has openings at the top
and bottom, in the short dimension, and the user interface
protrudes through an opening in the housing.
[0004] Multiple housing portions require multiple assembly steps,
thereby increasing complexity and cost. As a result, a housing,
which simplifies manufacturability while maintaining structural and
esthetic characteristics, would be beneficial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a single piece continuous housing and
integral user interface.
[0006] FIG. 2. illustrates a cross section of a deflectable housing
portion, that operates as a user interface component.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a deflectable housing
portion, that operates as a user interface component.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a deflectable housing portion, that
operates as a user interface component.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a deflectable housing portion, that
operates as a user interface.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a keypad assembly prior to assembly into
the continuous housing.
[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a keypad assembly assembled into a
continuous housing.
[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a continuous housing with a integral user
interface and keypad sub assembly.
[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a continuous housing with a integral user
interface.
[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates a continuous housing with a integral
user interface.
[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates a continuous housing with a integral
user interface.
[0016] FIG. 12 illustrates an integral and non-integral user
interface combination.
[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates a method of forming a continuous housing
and integral user interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding
that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification
of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the
specific embodiments illustrated.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary single piece continuous
housing 100 in the form of a wireless communication device having
an integral user interface 101. The single piece continuous housing
100 and integral user interface comprises contiguous encompassing
surfaces to enclose/surround electrical components on a plurality
of sides. The integral user interface 101 is comprised of isolated
portions of the continuous housing 100 such that the keys of the
user interface are integrated into the housing. The integral user
interface 101 comprises functional user interface portions formed
into the housing 100 by removing material from the continuous
housing 100. In one embodiment, the integral user interface 101 is
an integral key top 104 formed into the continuous housing 100 and
at least partially isolated from adjacent housing 100 material. The
key top 104, in this embodiment, is formed by creating a void 102
in the material of the continuous housing 100. The void 102 creates
the key top shape and allows that portion of the continuous housing
100 to deflect relative to adjacent areas of the housing 100
functioning as a button.
[0020] In this embodiment, the portion of the key 104 deflects
substantially perpendicular to the surface of the continuous
housing 100 such that the movement of the key is localized to the
key 104 portion of the housing 100. In this embodiment, a plurality
of keys are formed by a plurality of voids. A single continuous
void 102 may form a single key or alternatively, as in this
embodiment, a plurality of keys; for example, in this embodiment,
the void 102 defines three keys, the first key 104 a second key 106
and a third key 108.
[0021] The continuous housing 100 in this embodiment has four
contiguous (adjoining) sides that form the continuous housing 100;
a first side 110; a second side 112; a third side 114; and a fourth
side 116. The continuous housing sides form a a cavity 117. In this
embodiment the housing includes four sides however it is to be
understood that there may be a plurality of sides (i.e. two or more
sides) one or more having integral user interface portions. For
example, the housing may have two sides that meet at a point to
form the enclosure, i.e. a front and a back only. In another
embodiment the enclosure may have five sides such as a "punch
through" extrusion. The sides may be flat or they may be non planar
or a combination thereof giving the housing enclosure a variable
contour.
[0022] Further, the housing 100 comprises a first cavity opening
118 and a second cavity opening 120 the second opening 120 is
distal to the first opening 118. In this embodiment, the housing
100 is formed from an extrusion element; the extrusion element
having the four sides and a hollow profile with a cavity 117
partially enclosed by the sides. The cavity openings 118, 120 are
formed as part of the extrusion process. Each side has an outer
portion and an inner portion. The first side 110 has a first side
outer portion 1124 and a first side inner portion 122. The first
side outer portion 124 accessible from the outside of the device
(may also be referenced as a first face); the first side inner
portion 122 accessible from the cavity 117. The continuous housing
forms a continuous hollow profile.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of a continuous housing
integral user interface 101. The integral user interface 101
comprises at least one deflectable housing portion 202 that
operates as an integral user interface component which may also be
called a key top. In this embodiment, a void 204 is formed into the
continuous housing 100 material, the void 204 having a void shape
wherein the void shape defines the shape of the deflectable housing
portion 202. For example, the void 204 forms three sides of the
first deflectable housing portion 202, which is a key top portion
of a user interface; a first key top side 206, a second key top
side 208 and a third key top side 210. The void 204 may be a slot
that defines one integral key top or a plurality of integral key
top as shown in FIG. 2. The void 204 may be a series of holes that
provide relief and allow the adjacent portion to deform.
[0024] In one embodiment the material is removed by a laser etching
process. In another embodiment the material is removed by a CNC
machining process. In this embodiment the continuous housing is
formed by an extrusion process and the voids are formed secondary
to the extrusion process. It is known to those of ordinary skill in
the art that a plurality of mechanical operations may be used for
the remove of material.
[0025] The key top is defined by the voids and has a key top outer
surface that is on the outward side of the housing 100 and a key
top inner surface on the inside of the housing 100 adjacent to the
cavity 117. The inner surface is coupled to a switch on a circuit
board (FIG. 6) such that when the outer surface 212 of the key top
is pressed downward, the inner surface 214 of the key top activates
the switch. Indicia may be formed as included with the key top such
as alphanumeric characters or icons.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a continuous housing
integral user interface 101. In this embodiment, key material is
thinned on the inner surface 301 relative to other portions of the
continuous housing. In this embodiment, the thinning of the key
material is in addition to the void 204 that forms the shape of the
key 202. This allows the material of the key top 202 to deflect in
a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface
of the material in a cantilevered motion. The thinning of the key
provides greater relief and allows the key to defect more easily.
The thickness 304 of the key can be adjusted to achieve the desired
spring constant and thereby the feel to the user as the key top is
depressed. The un-thinned thicker portions 306 of the continuous
housing 102 provide structural strength to the housing and the
thinning of the keys allow the keys to deflect. The thickness of
one key may be greater or less than another key. In one embodiment
the entire integral user interface area has a reduced thickness. In
another embodiment, each key has a portion that is selectively
thinned, such that the key thickness varies across portions of the
key. The thickness may vary relative to the location of integral
user interface area. For example, keys that are close to the edge
of the housing may be thicker. The portions along the edge of the
housing adjacent to the cavity openings may also be thicker than
the key top portion to provide structural integrity to the housing
potion.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a deflectable housing
portion that operates as a user interface component. The deflection
of the key is illustrated here. A first key 402 (deflected key) and
a second key 404 are shown; the first key 402 is deflected as if it
were depressed by user actuation (user not shown). The cross
section illustrates the two keys separated by a void 406. A
keyboard printed circuit board (PCB) 408 is configured below the
keys, 402, 404 and include a switch for each key (not shown) and
corresponding domes or poppels; a first dome 410 and a second dome
412. The first key 402 is deflected away from the housing surface
plane 416 and deforms the adjacent first dome 408 to activate the
switch, which is adjacent to the first dome 408. The second dome
410 is not deformed and in a state of rest, adjacent to the second
key 404 which is not deflected. The deflection motion of a key is
the result of void and localized continuous housing material
thickness configurations. The keyboard PCB 408 is electrically
coupled to a electrical component enclosed in the cavity 117 by a
connector 412. The electronic component is circuitry for wireless
communication device for example. In another embodiment, the
electronic component may be for a computer, electronic game,
navigation device or the like.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an integral user interface wherein the
keys are integrated into the housing by a combination of voids 502
in the housing material and removing material from the first side
outer portion 124 to provide a shaped key surface 504. The removed
material defines the shapes of the keys and the overall integral
user interface. The voids 502 allow the keys to cantilever and
deflect in order to actuate the switch. In one embodiment the
integral user interface comprises cantilever keys only. In another
embodiment, the integral user interface is a combination of
integral user interface 506 and through-hole user interface access
508 that accepts a non-integral user interface component. The
access, which is a void in this embodiment, allows the non-integral
user interface to protrude through the housing. The non-integral
user interface is a complete user interface and is not integral to
the continuous housing. The user makes direct contact with the
non-integral user interface that protrudes through the continuous
housing.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of a portion of an
integral keypad formed in the housing by a void and top-thinned 3D
shaping of the keys. In this embodiment a void 602 is formed into
the continuous housing 100 and the outer surface 124 of the
integral user interface 101 is shaped by removing or thinning the
continuous housing material. The material is removed to define the
individual keys of the integral user interface and provide the keys
with a three dimensional shape. The three dimensional shape
provides passive tactile feed back as well as an esthetically
pleasing look. The passive tactile feedback provides a discernable
feel to distinguish individual integral keys of the user interface
from one another. Active feedback such as poppels, dome switches,
haptics and the like may also be provided via the individual
integral keys of the user interaction.
[0030] In FIG. 7, a keypad sub-assembly 700 is illustrated prior to
assembly into the housing. The keypad 700 comprises a keypad
printed circuit board (PCB) 702 and a keypad backfill 704. The
keypad PCB 702 comprises one or more dome switches 706 (also known
as poppels) that provide tactile feed back of key top actuation.
The keypad sub-assembly 700 may have a plurality of dome switches
that align with and are configured adjacent to the integral keys
104 formed into the housing 100 when the sub assembly is configured
in the housing cavity 117. Under the dome is a switch 706 on the
PCB 702 that is closed when the dome is depressed and contacting
the switch. The keys 104 of the integral user interface 101 are
aligned adjacently once the keypad sub-assembly is inserted into
the housing 100. The integral key tops 104, when pushed, depress
the domes to activate the switch.
[0031] The keypad back-fill 704 is configured between the key tops
104, 106, 108, 202 . . . of the integral user interface 101 and the
keypad PCB. In one embodiment the keypad backfill 704 portion
comprises a void filler portion 708. The void filler portion 708
extends into the void 102 and between a plurality of key tops or
between a key top and adjacent continuous housing portions. The
backfill 708 may be transparent to function as a light guide, to
illuminate the backfill void filler portions and may transmit light
to indicia formed into the key tops. The keypad backfill 704 is
configured between the integral user interface inner surface 122
and the dome switch portion 706 of the keypad PCB 702.
[0032] In one embodiment the keypad PCB 702 comprises an
illumination source that illuminates the key, icons of the keys, or
the keypad backfill, which may transmit the light thereto. In this
embodiment the illumination provides a backlight to the keypad
features (such as the indicia of the key tops and a transparent
keypad back-fill). The illumination source, in this embodiment is a
layer between the dome switch 706 and the PCB 702. In one
embodiment the illumination source is an electroluminescent panel
(EL) attached to the dome switch 706 layer. In another embodiment
the illumination source is an LED or plurality of LED's to create
the backlighting. It is understood that keypad sub-assemblies,
methods of providing a key switch, illumination, tactile feedback
and the like are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0033] In this embodiment, a keypad wedge 710 is provided and
configured such that it is adjacent to the bottom side of the
keypad PCB 702, the side opposite to the dome switches. The keypad
wedge 710 is a stiffener to counteract the force of the key top
depression during actuation. The keypad wedge 710 in this
embodiment may also serve to shift the keypad subassembly 700 into
place adjacent to the inner surface 122 of the integral user
interface 101, aligning the individual keys with the dome switches
of the keypad PCB. The wedge 710 shifts the keypad PCB 702 and the
keypad back fill 704 in the z-axis toward the inner surface 122 of
the housing 100. A keypad wedge 710 may or may not be present. For
example, the PCB 702 may act as a stiffener and z-axis insertion
element as the keypad thickness may provide sufficient strength in
place of the wedge.
[0034] In another embodiment, the keypad sub-assembly includes
touch sensors. The touch sensors sense the touching of the
individual key tops of the integral user interface 101. The key
tops 104, 106, 108 in this embodiment need not deflect; the key top
shapes are defined by the voids and the three dimensional shaping
of the outer surface of the key tops.
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates the keypad sub-assembly 700 inserted into
the housing 100. The housing 100 in this embodiment has integral
rails 802 to accept the PCB sub-assembly 700. The rails 802 allow
the keypad sub-assembly to be slid into the housing from the side
via the housing cavity opening 118 or cavity opening 120 in this
embodiment. In one embodiment, wherein the housing is an extruded
housing element, the rails 802 are extruded into the housing 100 a
part of the extrusion process. The rails 802 run in the direction
of the extrusion such that the keyboard is inserted into the cavity
opening 118, 120.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 9 through FIG. 11; the voids may be
configured into the continuous housing 100 to provide a plurality
of key top shapes giving different esthetic looks to the device.
FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the continuous housing with an
alternative integral keypad 900 configuration. FIG. 10 illustrates
another embodiment of the continuous housing with a first
alternative integral keypad 1000 configuration. FIG. 11 illustrates
another embodiment of the continuous housing with a first
alternative integral keypad 1100 configuration. In FIG. 10 and FIG.
11, the different key top shapes all align with the dome switches
of the underlying keypad sub assembly. In these embodiments one
keypad subassembly is manufactured and accommodates a plurality of
integral user interface looks.
[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates a keypad backfill and sub assembly
portion 1202 with a non-integral user interface portion 1204. The
keypad subassembly portion 1202 aligns with both an integral user
interface portion 1201 of a device user interface while the
non-integral user interface portion 1204 protrudes though a
non-integral user interface access of the continuous housing 100.
In this embodiment a non integral key top portion is coupled
directly to the keypad subassembly as a discrete user interface
portion. The key tops of the integral user interface portion remain
integral to the continuous housing. In one embodiment the voids of
the integral user interface and the non-integral user interface
access are coupled together. For example, referring back to FIG. 5,
a portion of the void 506 that forms an integral user interface
portion also forms a non-integral user interface access 508
portion. In this embodiment, the integral user interface and the
non-integral user interface are adjacent and utilize portions of a
single void shape of void 508. In another embodiment the voids of
the integral user interface and the non-integral user interface
access are independent.
[0038] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary process for forming the
continuous housing and integral user interface. The process
provides forming 1302 an extrusion wherein the extrusion has at
least four continuous sides, an extrusion cavity and two extrusion
defined openings. In one embodiment, at least one of the sides is
extruded to include a thicker wall, such as a top or the bottom
walls. The process also included cutting 1304 the extrusion at a
predefined width along the direction of the extrusion. The process
further includes removing 1306 material to shape and define
functional integral user interface portions, including forming the
voids; selectively thinning portion s of the integral user
interface portions and the like. During the extrusion process,
features such as rails are formed into the extrusion. One extrusion
cavity may be formed or a plurality of cavities may be formed.
* * * * *